Do I have what it takes? A devotional for your first day at a new job

11:06 am
Wendy van Eyck
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**I wrote this on 1 June 2017. For some reason, I didn’t post it then. I found it now, and thought maybe it’ll give some of you who might be beginning something in November, the courage to believe that you have what it takes!**

It’s my first day at my new job, my new business really. It’s a month since I left full-time employment to pursue the life that I want.

I just told Xylon there are butterflies in my stomach and I am so nervous for my first day at work, I mean in my own business.

And there is one question that keeps coming to the front of my mind, “Do I have what it takes?”

To be my own boss.

To find clients.

To keep clients happy.

To make enough to cover the bills.

I sit googling Bible verses about having what it takes.

The first one that comes up, 1 Chronicles 28:20:

David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you…

I’m taking the verse out of context. I might not be building a temple to God like Solomon but I need David reminding me to “do the work...God is with you.”

So I stop googling and I print the verse out. I resist the temptation to make a pretty design with it. There is work to do. I print it and paste it on the edge of my computer screen. Later, I find a highlighter and I stretch green over the words I need to be reminded of.

Today, this promise will remind me that I have what it takes, not in my strength but because God is with me.

Today, this promise will be enough.

Prayer: Thank you, that you are with me today, and every day. When I feel like I don’t have what it takes remind me to be strong and courageous and do the work you’ve given me.

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Want to create the life of your dreams? Ask yourself these 4 questions to determine how to move forward in any season

11:25 am
Wendy van Eyck
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Renee Fisher is one of the first people I connected with online. Her friendship has been a great source of encouragement. I've followed her ups and downs and seen how through it all she never stops dreaming or helping others achieve their dreams. She launched her tenth book, Unløved, a short but powerful eBook that empowers women to find freedom by embracing their inner critic last week. You can purchase it on Amazon for $2.99 here. I asked her if she'd mind me sharing a short expert and she kindly agreed. I hope you are encouraged by it.

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Seasons change. I never realized the spiritual significance of the changing of seasons until I learned how to cultivate a life of my dreams.

Jesus is quoted twice in the Gospels talking about spiritual seasons in Matthew 16:2-3 (NIV) and Luke 12:54-56 (NIV):

He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times”. He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?”

It doesn’t take much effort to walk outside and determine if it’s going to rain that day. It does, however, take time to learn how to pray and read the Word to determine which spiritual season you are in.

Your ability to praise the Lord despite your circumstances or unmet desires has the power to awaken your dreams, including the dreams of future generations.

Dreams, like seasons, change often.

If you are unsure how to cultivate a life of your dreams, ask yourself these four questions to determine how to move forward.

1. Summer: My dreams are ripe. Even in the heat of summer, we can relax and take a much-needed vacation. We can taste and see that the Lord is good (see: Psalm 34:8).

2. Fall: My dreams are harvested. We can mature and save up for the winter season knowing that we are rooted and grounded in love (see: Ephesians 3:17). We can choose not to be moved away from the hope of the gospel (see: Colossians 1:23).

3. Winter: My dreams are not dead. Winter brings a much-needed break, although it might feel like coming to a screeching halt. We may feel uncomfortable with the process of solitude and silence, but it will help us uncover what’s in our hearts. To admit, like Elijah, the answer to the question, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (see: 1 Kings 19:9, 13).

4. Spring: My dreams are newly planted. We may not understand, at first, that the storms and rain are actually a blessing to drive that tiny seed deeper and further under the soil to die so that it can come back to life. We can plant in tears knowing we will harvest with shouts of joy in a future season (see: Psalm 126:5).

Spiritual seasons can be tricky. It took me almost an entire year to realize I was in a winter season last year in Houston and to acknowledge that my dreams were not dead—just waiting for spring.

Now in Austin, I thought that my dreams were coming back to life, only to have a mound of dirt piled on top of me so these baby dreams can grow for a later harvest in a future season. It’s so complicated that I sometimes feel like giving up. Will my desires ever be met? But, if I’m honestly asking myself that question—I already know the answer. Of course they will! God has been faithful before and He will again.

I don’t know what season you are in or how freeing or frustrating it may feel. But don’t quit! Don’t run away! You can bloom where you’re planted.

“There will always be flowers for those who want to see them.” There will always be dreams for those who want to live them.

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If you'd like to read more of Renee Fisher's work buy Unløved now for $2.99 or visit her website reneefisher.com to find out how she can help you call your dreams to life.

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Meet Me

I'm learning to love well, run well and read well. I’m married to Xylon - a man who talks non-stop about cycling - and makes me laugh. I write for anyone who has ever held a loved one’s hand through illness, or believed in God despite hard circumstances or ever left on a spontaneous 2-week holiday through a foreign land with just a backpack.